Two Dates and a Dash Podcast

A conversational show where I allow the listener to eaves drop in on the inspirational lives of celebrities, athletes and every day folk who are truly living their lives with purpose and passion.

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Two Dates and a Dash Podcast

An inspirational podcast, inspired by Matt Cubbler's "I Got You" Inspirational Speaking and Leadership Consulting Brand, that is dedicated to sharing the remarkable stories of selfless leaders who have lived truly memorable lives. This podcast will highlight their stories, share their journey's and inspire every listener to look into the mirror and ask themselves if they are putting everything they have into living out their "dash." Be ready to be transformed, uplifted and to feel the emotions in every episode!

John McKenna is in his 18th season as Athletic Performance Director at Notre Dame High School, and has been a strength coach and football coach for over 32 years. At Notre Dame High School in his full time role he trains all physical education classes and teams in season and out of season. Coach McKenna was the first strength coach inducted into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame and just recently was honored by the National Football Foundation for his Contribution to Amateur Athletics, and was just inducted to The Sports Faith Hall of Fame in Chicago. Coach has received honors from the New Jersey National Guard and Trenton Fire Department for his service to these organizations. Coach also is the moderator for Notre Dames Catholic Athletes for Christ(Trenton Diocese). Over the past 32 years Coach McKenna has trained professional, college, and high school athletes. He has also developed the popular (Building Your Foundation Youth Program) for the development of younger athletes. Coach has been a featured speaker throughout the country as a Strength Coach and a Faith Coach. Coach McKenna was just recently named to The Board Of Directors, Region 8 Northeast(ME, VT, NH, RI, CT, NY, PA, VA, WV, MD, DE. And NJ of the National High School Strength Coaches Assoc.
Coach resides in New Jersey with his wife of 42 years Charyl , has three daughters, a son, and 9 grandchildren.
Coach bases everything off this saying: Strong Mind-Strong Body-Strong Faith=Strong Life.

“Irish” Micky Ward (born October 4, 1965) is a retired junior welterweight professional boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts. Micky is regarded as a working class hero, a blue-collar athlete who has overcome many difficulties in life and prevailed through determination and hard work. Ward won three New England Golden Gloves titles as an amateur before turning pro in 1985. He started off 14-0 in his professional career. Ward was known for his devastating left hook to the body and his ability to withstand punishment while waiting to land his trademark shot. A perennial underdog, he has been known to suddenly drop his opponent in the late rounds with a single shot to the body as he did against Emanuel Burton.

After a 15-year pro career, the veteran Ward gained widespread fame in his May 18, 2002 fight with Arturo Gatti, broadcast live on HBO. In 2001, Ward´s battle with Emanuel Burton on July 13 had been named the Ring Magazine Fight of the Year and it served to set up the much-anticipated Ward-Gatti matchup. Ward-Gatti I saw both fighters withstand an amazing amount of punishment through 10 rounds of non-stop action. Ward, who dropped Gatti in the ninth round with a vicious left hook to the body, won the fight by majority decision.Ward-Gatti I was hailed as the “Fight of the Century” by boxing fans and writers, and Round 9 of that bout was called “The Round of the Century” by Emanuel Steward, who co-hosted the fight live on HBO. Ring Magazine named Ward-Gatti I the Fight of the Year for 2002.

In their rematch, Gatti neutralized Ward´s body punching power by boxing and staying low. In the third round, Gatti knocked Ward to the canvas with a thundering overhand right which landed on Ward´s ear. Ward sprawled into the turnbuckle and stayed down for the mandatory 8 count. Nobody, especially Gatti (who after the fight called it “the hardest punch I´ve ever landed”) expected Ward to get up, never mind finish the fight. Commentators noted that if it had been any other fighter than Ward, the referee would have stopped the fight in the third round. Ward and Gatti had a third fight, on June 7, 2003. Despite dropping Gatti in round six, Ward lost by a ten round unanimous decision. Ward-Gatti 3 was named Fight of the Year for 2003 by Ring Magazine, which meant that Ward had earned that honor three times. Before his final fight with Gatti, Ward had announced his plans to retire after the fight.

Micky captured both the WBU Intercontinental Light Welterweight title and the WBU Light Welterweight title. He also won the respect and admiration of many fans worldwide. The song “The Warrior´s Code” by the punk rock band Dropkick Murphys is dedicated to Micky Ward, and his photograph appears on the cover of the album. Ward´s life is chronicled in a biography by Bob Halloran entitled Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward. Micky Ward´s trilogy with Arturo Gatti would become the cover of the video game Fight Night Round 3, on the PlayStation 2 and XBOX versions of the game.And to top it all off The movie “The Fighter” staring Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward and Christian Bale as his half-brother, Dickie Eklund recounts Ward´s climb to fame.

Jay Niblick is the Founder and CEO of Innermetrix Incorporated, a professional consulting and technology firm with offices on five continents specializing in helping professional business consultants and coaches build and grow a profitable consulting practice.

He is the Bestselling author of the Attribute Index diagnostic profile (over 600,000 copies sold worldwide), and What’s Your Genius – How the Best Think for Success (Foreword by Anthony Robbins). His latest bestselling book is titled, The Profitable Consultant – How to Start, Market and Sell your Expertise (Foreword by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith).

He has been a paid keynote speaker and lecturer to organizations around the world in the areas of: Consulting, recruitment/hiring, peak performance, executive coaching, leadership development and organizational development. Over 1,750 independent management consultants have paid to attend one of Jay’s international workshops or certification programs delivering best practices on how to build a successful consulting practice and increase profitability.

Jay also sits on the Board of Directors at the Robert S. Hartman Institute; A scholarly project at the University of Tennessee in the United States dedicated to the study of human nature, value and decision-making.

Prior to consulting, Jay worked in the surgical sales industry for Johnson & Johnson. Before that he trained and served in the Special Operations communities of the US Navy and US Marines.

About Jessica: I am passionate about helping people take their lives to new levels and push the boundaries of what is possible. We are on a mission to set people free - physically and financially. For 13 years, I enjoyed a successful sales career in corporate America. Two years ago - almost by accident - I started my own business in my spare time. I partnered with a 13 year old company that provides nutritional products based on cutting edge science that address energy and performance, weight loss and healthy aging. In just 27 months, we developed a global distribution marketplace across 6 countries, a team exceeding 11,000 people and created a 7-figure income. We are helping others on our team create 6- and 7-figure incomes and redesign their lives with physical and financial transformations.

Bottom line - everyone deserves to live life with a healthy body that they love, as well as experience financial freedom to do what they want, when they want, as much as they want. I believe - WITHOUT A DOUBT - that I have discovered the secret to achieve all of that and more. If you are serious about creating more freedom in your life, we deserve to connect. You deserve to have freedom, great health and unlimited wealth.

Justin Schenck is on a mission to teach the world that it isn’t about where you come from, it’s about the decisions you make today to catapult yourself to who you want to become. Justin has been named a Top 8 Podcaster to watch in 2018 by INC.com and chosen as an ‘Icon of Influence’ in the new media space. What started out as a way to connect with top people and inspire others has become a way of life. Now getting played in over 100 countries every single week he is able to make a greater impact than he could ever imagine. He not only speaks to organizations on how to overcome adversity and utilize podcasting to grow your business but he helps others launch and grow their own podcasts with www.beginpodcastingnow.com. His vision? To teach the world how to live happy no matter where they are today. “It’s about the journey not the destination.”

Dubbed “The Boy Wonder,” the 22-year old promoted his first bout on Sept. 30, 1969, featuring Bennie Briscoe in the main event at the Blue Horizon. Since then, Peltz has become one of boxing’s most consistent promoters and is synonymous with Philadelphia boxing and, in particular, the Blue Horizon, where he promoted bouts for 32 years. Peltz also served as Director of Boxing at the Philadelphia Spectrum from 1973 to 1980.
The crowd of 16,019 for the WBC junior lightweight title fight at The Spectrum in l976 set the record for the largest crowd ever to watch boxing indoors in Pennsylvania history, while the 14,930 who saw Briscoe vs. Hagler in 1978 is the largest crowd indoors for a non-world championship contest.
Peltz has promoted cards at many other Philadelphia venues, including the old 7,000-seat Arena at 46th & Market Street, the Arts Palace at Broad & Pine Streets, as well as the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia, his current home. In addition to Philadelphia, Peltz has promoted boxing matches at nearly every casino in Atlantic City.
Among the fighters who boxed on Peltz-promoted cards include Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts, Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, Willie “The Worm” Monroe, Stanley “Kitten” Hayward, Marvin Johnson, Alfredo Escalera, Mike Rossman, Billy "Dynamite" Douglas, Bernard Hopkins, Antonio Tarver as well as Hall-of-Famers Jeff Chandler, Bobby Chacon, Orlando Canizales, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, George Benton, Emile Griffith, Michael Spinks, Thomas Hearns, Aaron Pryor, Pernell Whitaker, Roberto Duran and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Peltz was honored with the James J. Walker Award for “Long and Meritorious Service to Boxing” by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1999. Noted for his ingenuity for making great matches, Peltz follows in the great tradition of Philadelphia boxing promoter Herman Taylor.
In addition to promoting, Peltz is an avid boxing historian and archivist.

Danny Bader is a best-selling author and inspirational speaker whose life was transformed by a near death experience more than 20 years ago. He started his own company in 2007 that focuses on helping others truly understand themselves by creating a powerful vision for their futures. He wrote Back From Heaven’s Front Porch, Five Principles To Creating a Happy and Fulfilling Life, which would become a best-selling book and receive rave reviews from Success magazine and rank #1 on Amazon.

As one of the nation’s most sought-after speakers, he routinely gives workshops and keynotes to the biggest organizations in the nation including Marriott, Comcast, Merck and more. To date, he has spent more than 10,000 hours inspiring others to live their best lives.

David’s narrative as a youth speaker comes first hand; he grew up impacted by addiction in his family; he married and became a father of two children, his oldest is a special needs son; he is active in his church; he is a hospice volunteer who visits with terminally ill patients; and is on the board of K.I.D.S. Plus, Inc. a non-profit organization which helps special needs children through sports and other activities. David attends meetings and participates in activities with The Anti-Bias Consortium Nassau County Schools. He is a member of The Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

David’s life teaches him every day about dignity, understanding, patience, forgiveness, and most of all unconditional love. As a youth motivational speaker David has spoken in 31 states and Canada to over 350,000 students, inspiring them to look at people and things in a different way. His Facebook videos have received over 70 million views. He speaks with passion and conviction and through his humility, leaves his audience with so much to think about in their formative years as they move into their future.

Brock Mealer grew up in Wauseon, Ohio, and graduated high school in 2003. He went on to receive his undergraduate at Ohio State University. Brock spent much of his time working at a family construction company, but also enjoyed playing basketball, flying airplanes, and being with family.
A tragic car accident on Christmas Eve 2007, in which a 90 year old man ran a stop sign, left Brock paralyzed from the waist down and took the lives of his father and brother's girlfriend, Hollis. He was told by the doctors that he only had a 1% chance of ever walking again. He has persevered through this situation by clinging to faith, and relying on God.
Brock started rehabbing with the physical therapists at the hospital for two years after the accident. After that period, Brock was only able to move his hip and quad muscles, which allowed him to walk with the aide of full leg braces and a walker. He was still far from where he wanted to be, and God had a new opportunity awaiting him. Brock's brother, Elliott, played for the University of Michigan football team, allowing Brock to connect with their coaching staff who had offered to work out with him since the accident. After insurance had run out for rehab, he started rigorous workouts with Mike Barwis and the rest of the football strength and conditioning staff at the University of Michigan. Since then he has learned to walk with two canes, and in fall of 2010, Brock completed his goal of leading the Michigan Wolverines onto the field for their home opener accompanied with his mom, Elliott and oldest brother Blake.
In December of 2012, he was able to stand at his wedding and walk down the aisle with his bride, Haley, without the assistance of canes. Currently, Brock and his wife are living in Wauseon Ohio, and has plans to help others in their own journey through life's challenges. He continues to work out so he continues to improve, as well as, share his faith, and motivate others to strive for their goals. He has since been able to walk without assistance of any kind, walking up to a half mile at a time.
Join the 1% today, and face adversity head on. Brock's message is about persevering against overwhelming odds; no matter what the challenge is.

Brian is a former National Hockey League All-Star, legendary Philadelphia Flyer, former sports broadcaster, entrepreneur, business relationship and development guru and a philanthropist in his community. Brian is a loving husband and father of two and presently on the senior leadership team at Wolf Commercial Real Estate. Brian has leveraged his 15 year professional sports experiences and his 30 years in the business world. From the dressing room to the corporate boardroom, Brian continues to optimize opportunities and drives peak performance and results by leading by example and inspiring teams to be their best. Today Brian is the Director, Strategic Relationships at Wolf Commercial real Estate (WCRE).
WCRE is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in office, retail, medical, industrial and investment properties in Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia metropolitan area. WCRE provides a complete range of real estate services to commercial property owners, companies, and investors seeking the highest quality of service, proven expertise, and a total commitment to client-focused relationships.
Brian gives back to the community as a Volunteer through his tireless commitment to several charities, including NHS Human Services, Bringing Hope Home, The Center for Autism, Flyers Alumni Foundation and The United Way of Camden County. A 6-handicap golfer, you can find Brian on the links participating in charitable client golf events throughout the summers, helping kids and raising awareness for many social and charitable causes.

After a long career as a sports and news anchor in major east coast media markets, Broadcast Pioneers member Lou Tilley partnered with international businessman Martin E. Judge, Jr., founder and President of The Judge Group and The CAFL, to form Lou Tilley Media. LTM is an international creative branding, marketing, public relations and production agency. From concept to delivery, Lou and his team craft engaging cross-platform content created to serve each client’s vision and goals.
Lou Tilley has long been a familiar face to TV viewers in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Baltimore, Charlotte and across the nation. His 30+ year on-air career has garnered 11 Emmy awards for excellence in reporting, programming and production.
In 2010, while preparing to emcee the annual Maxwell Football Awards Gala, Lou found himself discussing his future with longtime friend and accomplished businessman, Marty Judge. Lou Tilley Media was born that night as a collaboration between the two. The MFC,. now produced for TV by LTM on national networks, remains the passionate center of the agency. In fact, football – sports – and great storytelling, are at the core of LTM’s impressive list of clients that include: The CAFL China, The Philadelphia Soul, Defend Your Head Sports Safety, The Cal Ripken Baseball Group, Ron Jaworski Enterprises, and The Judge Group. “I’ve always been an effective story teller. Now, I dig into my client’s stories, their messaging and goals in the same way I would dig into a major news story: to find the most effective avenue of message delivery. I employ “Three E’s” in every project: education, entertainment and enterprise. They are not mutually exclusive,” says Lou from his office along the banks of the Schuylkill River in Conshohocken, PA, not far from the central Philadelphia row home where he was raised.
Recently, LTM planted its flag in China, establishing offices in Shanghai, leading the media and marketing arm of Marty Judge’s dream venture, the China Arena Football League. “This is a blank canvas for LTM. The Chinese market is hungry for western style sports, for football, and my job is – you guessed it – to educate, entertain and make it work for our shared enterprise.” LTM manages all broadcast rights for the new pro league set to launch in 2016. “There are no right or wrong ways to deliver the games there. We can re-invent the way we present this and other sports to new fans. Because of this, we are better enabled to develop new methods of delivery for our sponsors in the process.”
LTM will produce all regular and postseason games in China in both Mandarin and English, as well as distribute them nationally in China on the iQIYI network, and in the US on the ONE World Sports Network. Lou and his team will also manage all public relations and news media, social media , websites in both languages, as well as all game day in-arena operations. LTM also works directly with the CAFL exclusive sponsors to develop and deliver their messages across all media platforms.
LTM is developing streaming delivery systems aimed at China’s massive mobile device audience, in-arena visual entertainment packages, and special fan apps reflecting sponsor driven demographics. “Already, this fresh start, this blank canvas, has lead us in the direction of new methods of story telling, which has helped us and our clients state-side.”
LTM continues its growth internationally, utilizing the ever-changing tools of technology, but always with Lou Tilley, the award-winning broadcaster behind the creation and delivery.

Mr. Kelly D. Venden is a decorated combat veteran with over 22 years of service in the special operations community. Now retired and a resident of San Antonio, Texas, he continues to provide contractor support to the United States Department of Defense as a Counter Improvised Explosives Devices (C-IED) operational specialist or JET (Joint Expeditionary Team) providing training, and facilitating detection and deterrence techniques and equipment. In addition, he operates two Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (DVOSB) with one being Criterion Tactical, llc., a small company specializing in advanced marksmanship instruction and operational tactics for law enforcement agencies and military. And most recently Citadel Safeguard Solutions, llc which provide Armed Security services to schools.
Mr. Venden gained his exceptional weapons and tactical experience while operationally assigned to the 1/75th Ranger Battalion and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta specializing in a wide variety of advanced counter terrorist operations, classified projects and other high risk special operations activities.
Following retirement from active military service, Mr. Venden joined the Federal Air Marshal program as a federal agent. His duties included designing and implementing security procedures to protect the commercial aviation industry. As a lead instructor, he was heavily involved in developing the firearms curriculum for the fledgling federal agency and training of young air marshals. During his tenure, he assisted in training of sister agencies (ICE, FBI, DEA) in protecting the nation’s transportation system. Mr. Venden also created the “Triple-Nickel” standards course that has become the embodiment of fundamentals excellence for federal agents and a national aspiration for many law enforcement and military personnel.
Mr. Venden is a veteran of numerous National Command Authority contingency operations, a civilian tour in Afghanistan supporting International Security Forces, and was a participant in the rescue of Kurt Muse, an American hostage in Panama. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star for valor, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He is featured in three Military Channel documentaries and plays a prominent role in the book “6 Minutes to Freedom”; the story of the successful hostage rescue operation.
www.criteriontactical.com
On Facebook as Criterion Tactical
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/kvenden007

Some of Hollywood’s most inspirational movies were born from the world of sports. One in particular inspired not only sports fans but anyone with a pulse. In 2006 Walt Disney Pictures continued their triumphant tradition of motivating sports stories with the release of INVINCIBLE. It’s a stirring football drama starring Mark Wahlberg as Vince Papale, an ordinary guy who, against all odds, takes his shot at every fan’s fantasy of going from the grandstands to the gridiron. It has been described that Papale’s odds of achieving his wildest lifelong dream of playing for the Eagles as “one in a gazillion!”
It was 1976 when this 30 year old, a teacher and coach at his HS Alma mater, part-time bartender and die hard Eagles fan decided to act on a whim and a dare and entered the unprecedented public tryouts for his beloved Eagles. Inspired by this quote from his high school coach mentor, “Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make those dreams come true”, he figured he had nothing to lose. Papale, a ten year season ticket holder and former track star who did not play a down of college football, not only paid the price and made the cut . . . he made history!
It was a time when Philadelphia fans were buried in 11 years of defeat, when Americans were battling the lingering effects of Watergate, the Vietnam War and a sweeping energy crisis. Ordinary people appeared badly in need of a champion from their ranks and Vince answered the call. Now, in today’s uncertain economic times he continues to respond to the need for a motivating hero who knows what it’s like to battle and overcome adversity.
Instantly electrifying the fans and eventually winning over skeptical teammates with his gritty play, Papale helped the Eagles rediscover their winning ways. From being voted Special Teams Captain by his teammates to earning Eagles “man of the Year’ in 1978 for his numerous charitable activities Papale was an NFL sensation until a shoulder injury ended his playing career in 1979. Having now added “cancer survivor” to his bio, Papale continues to hold the record for being the oldest rookie in the National Football League (kickers excluded). He was recently honored by the Eagles and their fans and was named “Most Outstanding Special Teams Player” during a celebration of the Philadelphia Eagles 75th anniversary.
“Not often can a person see a film made about their own life’s journey,” Papale said of Invincible. “What’s even rarer is having that movie described as inspirational, motivational, and giving hope. There’s a feeling of intense pride and humility that, at times, is overwhelming.”
Vince is married to former US World Team Gymnast, Janet Cantwell, and they reside in Cherry Hill, NJ, with their two children Gabriella and Vincent. Today, he electrifies audiences and is regarded as one of the top motivational speakers on the country. The ultimate underdog continues to thrill audiences with his energy and humor.

Sergeant Major Reginald Wayne Butler, U.S. Army, a native of Oklahoma, graduated from McAlester High School in 1992. He received a B.S. in business from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburg, New York in 2007; an M.B.A. in information technology management from Trident University International in Cypress, California, in 2010; and is currently pursuing a D.B.A. in leadership from Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He was raised in poverty by a single mother of five children, who had a loving heart and faced many obstacles but never complained. She blessed Butler with a warm heart, good manners, and inspired him to follow his passion and intuition. As a child, Butler had behavioral problems, a speech impediment and was fitted with leg braces. Numerous Pediatric Doctors informed his mother that he would never be able to run or overcome the fear and tension in stuttering. Kids called him names such as Frankenstein and Stutterbox until the age of 9 when he decided to overcome his challenges. Butler removed the leg braces, tossed them in a dumpster, and took off running, very much similar to Forrest Gump. By the 4th grade, Butler was the fastest kid in elementary school and later went on to win Regionals in track and field. Butler attended speech therapy throughout middle school, and he now enjoys inspiring people to overcome their obstacles and fears.
In 1991, toward the end of his junior year of high school, Butler joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard as an Infantrymen. He was the only African American in a 240-man company and had to overcome adversities related to racial discrimination but maintained a positive state of mind. Butler continued to break down obstacles within the organization and sought out the presence of younger soldiers who trusted him, believed in equal opportunity, and practiced dignity and respect. Butler found the resiliency to overcome the boundaries set before him and knew after graduating from High School the military life was going to be his destiny.
During his 25-year military career, Butler achieved the highest enlisted rank of Sergeant Major. He completed the rigorous U.S. Army Ranger School in 1998, which is the Army’s most rigorous course related to premier small unit tactics and leadership. In 2001, Butler accomplished the Bradley Master Gunner course, to become a trained expert on the weapon systems housed within military fighting vehicles. He values the attribute of leading from the front and ultimately gained the respect of his subordinates. Butler deployed to the Middle East, the Pacific, Europe and Continental U.S. stations.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Butler was a platoon sergeant of the Army’s First Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, when a platoon-size element was ambushed in Sadr City, Baghdad, on April 4, 2004, also known as “Black Sunday.” Eight soldiers were killed and more than 70 injured during the attack. Butler’s Humvee gunner paid the ultimate sacrifice, and 17 out of 37 soldiers in his platoon were severely wounded. Butler had the hardest hit platoon with 20 soldiers remaining in the fight. His unit remained in sustained combat for 80 consecutive days.
Butler is portrayed in the National Geographic Channel’s “The Long Road Home,” an eight-part miniseries based on journalist Martha Raddatz’s 2007 book of the same title. He was mentioned on several occasions including one during which the Secretary of Defense recognized Butler in a lecture to more than 5,000 cadets and faculty members at the U.S. Military Academy in 2008 as a hero with real-world experience and wisdom in and out of the classroom. He has a passion for helping military members and people around the world to find their inner abilities to overcome daily challenges and to live a healthy, memorable and appealing lifestyle.
Butler seeks to inspire, motivate and challenge audiences to lead an authentic and inspired life.